With the endless amounts of suffering going on around the world, I was constantly reminding myself how lucky we are. Even with no power, we have clean water. Hot water. A gas stove and fireplace, a gas grill and eventually...a 2 plug generator.

It was annoying and inconvenient, not the end of the world.

From Sunday around 1pm until 12 noon Thursday, we did without power.

By day 5, it was getting really old. I took a few pictures...

Also, we missed Matt a lot. He was in Peoria attending his Grandfather's funeral & seeing is family. (We hope Ray is feeling better...recovering from a rough foot/leg surgery)

Apparently, the local weather idiots didn't see this coming. I was checking the weather like a maniac, wondering about playing a scheduled tennis match. Although the rain never made it, the winds of Ike were unbelievable. Ike's winds combined with a powerful cold front and voila'!

Sustained winds of 50-60mph, gusts to 85-90.

Notice Devin in the bottom, right corner for perspective.

I gigantic tree in neighboring Tom Sawyer State Park.

On Day 2, we took a trip to get Mums and pumpkins. Who knew Mum's were $9.00 a pop for a gallon?

We left with just pumpkins.

By Day 3, it was apparent how complex the clean-up process can be. They utilized the State Park parking lot and facilities as an East End base. Workers from all over are living & working to help. 16 hour shifts, until power is 100% restored.

Just after the storm, 75% of Metro Louisville was without power.

No power, meant very little gas available. Our Thorton's was one of the few open throughout the entire time. At times, lines were 25-30 cars deep. Notice the price. Not cool...

Our old roof did remarkably well, as neighbors have more damage. Our gazebo was the only casualty & it's fixable!

Matt's friend David, is my new hero. On Day 3, he brought us this...It allowed me to do laundry, vacuum, charge cell phones/computers and WATCH TV!!!

I took this while driving...(Devin wasn't in the car)

I was very, very thankful our preschool opened today. Devin was in desperate need of seeing some kids and her teachers. Her bond (with Miss Irene in particular) is growing, which was more obvious today. She was eager to go in the morning and very happy at drop-off. (Even with other kids getting upset, which can trigger her)

We had some tears at pick-up...it's like she's d-o-n-e, done. But, her constant chatter today about the morning let me know how much fun she had.

This picture shows the stoplight out at a dangerous intersection, near her preschool. The Army National Guard has deployed to Louisville, to assist with things like this. (Go Army!)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

We're thrilled (and honestly surprised) how well Dev has adjusted to preschool. I want to nurture her sensitivity and awareness, not stifle and fight it. In many ways, those attributes are what I love most about her Daddy...

I'm thinking her strong need to have things "just so"may come from me. She notices if anything is out of place in her room. A tiny plastic golf ball was near the dresser and she cried for us to come move it. *sigh*

The preschool teachers report she is engaging in all activities, with a special fondness for music time with Miss Cindy. We had no tears at drop-off this week and attempted a full day today. (8:50-11:30) I went in at 11:15, assuming she was tired.

I was right. They said at about 11:00 she started asking for me and getting anxious. She cried for a few minutes at pick-up, but asked in the car if we could, "go to preschool again soon." Today alone they:

She was so wound up, it took her 2 hours to fall asleep at nap time. I was treated to a 2-hour concert consisting mainly of Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Old MacDonald, Twinkle Twinkle and the "Goodbye Song" from preschool. Oh, and a bunch of stuff about Gymboree.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

I was so excited to try my Telephoto lens, but I had a terrible time figuring out how to make it work with my camera. It was an overcast, but bright/glary day.

Keep in mind, I'm attempting the "impossible." At least, that's what the camera store people keep telling me.

I'm using my Mom's old Nikkon lens on my Canon eos camera. Her lens is very nice and I bought an $8.00 adapter from eBay. It works perfectly, but the camera and lens do not communicate, so I actually have to know the settings...

We've never gone on the weekend, but we got there early & saw plenty!

Scotty (about 1.5 yrs) the elephant is always a hit.

Matt got a few shots with the Canon Lens back on the camera. Much easier!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Thursday, September 4, 2008

...to this, in 55 Days!They were super-easy to grow, with almost no maintenance. I put seeds in some topsoil and kept them watered. And, not a lot of water...just a bit to get through our mini-drought. They are so, so good. Such a clean, simple taste.

Here's Baxter with all his eye whiskers singed off from a candle. This isn't the first or second time he's put our candle out with his face.

After just 3 days at preschool, Day #4 was our first day with no tears!!

We are thrilled at the idea of Devin being able to enjoy some time away from us. When I dropped her off today, they had some foam/water stations ready to go. Dev was very interested and shrugged off my goodbye. They said she was happy and engaged the rest of the time. We extended her day to 10:40 today...so she's almost to the full time.

I had a rare dinner out for work. We went to 4th Street Live in Downtown Louisville.